On this day in music history: January 25, 1975 - “Fire” by The Ohio Players hits #1 on the Billboard R&B singles chart for 2 weeks, also topping the Hot 100 for 1 week on February 8, 1975. Written and produced by James Williams, Clarence Satchell, Leroy Bonner, Marshall Jones, Marvin Pierce, and William Beck, it is the second R&B and first pop chart topper for the R&B/Funk band from Dayton, OH. Recorded at Mercury Studios in Chicago, the band will all collaborate on the song, each contributing lyrics and music while jamming in the studio. Once the track is finished, they will return to the road in support of their then current album “Skin Tight”. During a tour stop in California, they will meet Stevie Wonder, playing the just completed “Fire” for him, who will declare the song a smash upon hearing it. Issued as first single and title track of their second album for Mercury Records, the single will simultaneously rise up the R&B and pop singles chart, also driving the album to the top of both charts as well. Fire is certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.
Posted on: Sun, 25 Jan 2015 23:00:15 +0000